Jib-crane transfer device for overhead carrier systems



30 Aug 1927 E. T. BENNINGTON JIB CRANE TRANSFER DEVICE FOR OVERHEAD CARRIER SYSTEMS Filed Jan. 16. 1926 Patented Aug. 30, 1927.

'tjhlllED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EARL T. BENNINGTON, OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE CLEVE- LAND CRANE &, ENGINEERING CCFMBANY, OF WICKLIFFE, OHIO, A CORPORATION JIB-CRANE TRANSFER DEVICE FOR OVERHEAD CARRIER SYSTEMS.

Application filed January 16, 1926. Serial No. 81,622.

This invention relates to a monorail jib crane for overhead carrier systems and more particularly to a transfer crane having a boom which forms a movable track section adapted to be positioned to bridge the space between fixed track sections or to be swung to a position clear of the space between said track sections.

here an overhead carrier-system extends across a roadway, railroad, canal or the like it is usually desirable to have the portion of the overhead track which extends across the roadway mounted to swing to a position wholly to one side thereof to clear the space above the same.

The present invention has for its object to provide a movable rail section which swings from the boom of a jib crane and which is movable from the position bridging the space between fixed track sections to a position at one side of said space, and to provide in connection therewith, means for accurately aligning the free end of the swing ing rail section with the fixed track section with which said free end is aligned when the swinging rail section is positioned for passage of carriers across the space between the fixed rail sections.

Reference should be had to the accom panying drawings forming a part of this specification in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the tram rail jib crane; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the fixed cam track supported at the end of the fixed track; Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the front elevation of the bracket to which the upper ends of the boom supporting bracerods are attached; Fig. 4: is a side elevation of said bracket.

Referring to the accompanying drawings the overhead carrier systems to which the transfer device is applied has spaced fixed track sections 1 and 2 which, as shown herein, are monorails in the form of T bars upon the flanges of which the carrier wheels travel, the rails 1 and 2 being suspended from fixed supports by suitable hangers 3 r. The rail 1 may terminate adjacent the wall 5 of a buildingand the end of the rail 2 may be supported from a suitable transverse beam 6.

The space between the rails 1 and 2 may be bridged by the boom 7 of a tram rail jib crane, the boom 7 being in the form of an I-beam, the lower flanges of which are on the top of the boom 7 and at their upper ends to lugs 12 which are upon opposite sides of a vertical sleeve 13 which is rotatably mounted upon a vertical pivot pin carried by a bracket 15 secured to the wall 5, the rods 10 being provided with turn-buckles 16 by means of which the height of the outer end of the boom 7 may be adjusted. Then the boom 7 is placed in alignment with the fixed rail sections 1 and 2 carriers may travel across the space between the rail sections. hen it is desired to clear the space between the track sections 1 and 2 the boom ma be swung around to a position substantial y parallel with the wall 5. As above stated a railway track may be located beneath the space between the rail sections 1' and 2 and the jib transfer crane provides means for bridging the space between the fixed rail sections for the passage of carriers and is, at the same time, adapted to be swung to a position at one side of said space to clear the space above the roadway when necessary.

The boom 7 preferably carries a spring pressed latch 17 at its outer end which is adapted to engage with the hanger 4; to position and hold the boom in longitudinal alignment with the fixed rail sections. Stop arms 18 and 19 may be provided on the outer end of the boom and at the end of the rail section 2 to prevent passage of carriers of? the end of the boom 7 and off the end of the rail 2 when the boom is in a position out of alignment with the rail section 2.

Since considerable weight may be imposed upon the boom 7 the outer end thereof has a tendency to sag, causing the lower flanges thereof at the outer end of the boom to lie below the plane of the flanges of the rail 2. The present invention has for its object to insure accurate horizontal alignment between the rail and boom flanges whenever the boom is in longitudinal alignment with the rail.

To this end a fixed cam 20 is mounted above the end of the rail. 2, the cam 20 having a vertical flange 21 which is rigidly secured to the transverse supporting beam 6 and a horizontally extending track flange 22 which is inclined downwardly towards its opposite ends, the central portion of the cam track being directly over the fixed track 1. The boom 7 has a bracket rigidly attached to the top thereof at the free end, and this bracket carries a roller 24 which engages with the flange 22. The highest point of the track flange 22 of the cam is directly over the rail section 2 and when the roller 24!: is resting upon this portion of the track flange 22 the lower flanges of the boom 7 are supported in horizontal alignment with the flanges of the rail 2. If the boom 7 sags at its outer end, the roller 24; will engage with one of the inclined ends of the track flange 22 as the outer end of the boom approaches the fixed rail 2, and as the boom 7 moves into alignment with the rail 2 the roller 24 will travel up the incline to the centerof the cam track and will lift the outer end of the boom 7 to a position in which its lower flanges are properly aligned with the flanges of the fixed track, the boom 7 being held against lateral movements when in the transfer position by means of the latch 17.

Having described my invention what I claim is:

1. In an overhead carrier system, a track having spaced sections, a transfer section pivotally supported adjacent the end of one of said track sections and adapted to be swung into and out of alignment with the other, and interengaging means adjacent the track section with which the free end of the pivoted section cooperates and on the pivoted section adapted to engage and lift the tran fer section into horizontal alignment with the track section as the transfer section is swung into the position in which it bridges the space between said track sections.

2. In an overhead carrier system, a track having spaced sections, a transfer section pivotally supported adjacent the end of one of said track sections and adapted to be swung into and out of alignment with the other, and a fixed cam adjacent the last mentioned track section in the path of movement of the transfer section for lifting the transfer section into horizontal alignment with the track section as it moves into bringing position.

3. In an overhead carrier system, a track having spaced fixed sections, a transfer section pivotally supported adjacent the end of eanna r one of the fixed track sections and adapted to be swung into and out of alignment with the other fixed track section, and a fixed cam track at the end of the last mentioned track section in the path of movement of the free end of the transfer section and adapted to support the free end of the transfer section when it is in bridgii'ig position, said cam track extending transversely with respect to the fixed track and being inclined downwardly at-its opposite ends.

"I. In an overhead carrier system, a monorail track having spaced fixed sections formed by rails having oppositely extending flanges upon which the carrier wheels travel, a jib crane having a horizontally swinging boom pivoted at one end adjacent the end of one fixed section and having flanges adapted to be aligned with the flanges of the fixed track rails, a transverse cam track above the end of the fixed rail section with w iich the free end of the boom aligns, said track being inclined downwardly toward each end from the central portion thereof above the fixed track section, and a roller carried by the boom and adapted to engage with said cam track to lift the free end of the boom into alignment with the fixed track section.

In an overhead carrier system, a monorail track having spaced fixed sections formed by rails having oppositely extending -flanges upon which the carrier wheels travel, a jib crane having a horizontally swinging boom pivoted at one end adjacent the end of one fixed section and having flanges adapted to be aligned with the flanges of the fixed track rails, a fixed bracket above said boom and an inclined brace rod connected to the boom and pivoted to said bracket to swing about an axis coaxial with the pivotal axis of the boom.

6. In an overhead carrier system, a monorail track having spaced fixed sections formed by rails having oppositely extending flanges upon which the carrier wheels travel, a jib crane having a horizontally swinging boom pivoted at one end adjacent the end of one fixed sect-ion and having flanges adapted to be aligned with the flanges of the fixed track rails, a fixed bracket above said boom, an inclined brace red connected to the boom and pivoted to said bracket to swing about an axis coaxial with the pivotal axis of the boom, and means for adjusting said brace rod to raise or lower the free end of the boom.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature.

EARL T. BENNIYNGTON. 

